Edge-illuminated sign



Jan. 7, 1936. 1'. J. D VFULLER, JR

EDGE ILLUMINATED SIGN Filed June 28.41954 1,2 ,/11 I g E @Lindgw 2'4 `23 By @uM/Claw,

caught by the etched symbols, making the signl Patented Jan. 7, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE This inventan relates to edge-illuminated glass signs. Such signs comprise a light chamber from which projects a panel of plate glass, Letters, figures or other symbols of the sign are etched in a face of the glass panel, as bya sand blast. The

rays of light which enter the edge of the glass at greater than the critical angle of reflection are confined within the volume of the glass and are stand out clearly against the transparency of the glass.

It is an object of the Iinvention to increase the eficiency of a signof this general character to obtain greater illumination of the etched symbols with a given source of light. It has been discovered that the illumination of the etched symbols may be increased to a markedvdegree by decreasing the distance between lthe light source and the edge of the glass a small part of an inch. The most satisfactory source of light is the electric bulb and in accordance with the invention,

the bulb is supported and arranged so that the filament is as close as possible to the edge of the glass. In accordance with the preferred practice a tubular shaped bulb is employed, the diameter of which is slightly less than that ofthe socket in which it is carried, and the socket is arranged to rest against the edge of the glass.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a simple construction which is arranged to 'permit the bulb to' be conveniently and readily removed and replaced.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawing: in which,

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view partly broken away of an edge illuminated sign embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same partly broken away and partlyin section;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken upon the line 3-3 of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 4 is a perspective detail View of one of the parts of the sign.

Before explaining in detail the present invention it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawing, since thev invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also it is to be .understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not vof limitation, and it is not intended to limit the invention claimed herein beyond the requirements of the prior art. y An edge illuminated glass sign embodying the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing and comprises a base or support I0 upon which 5 spaced upright-s or blocks I I are secured by screws I2. The adjacent faces of the blocks II are each provided with a groove I3 positioned directly above a recess I4 in support Ill. A channelshaped member I5 is positioned in each of the 10.

grooves I3 and extends into the recess I4. The channel-shaped members I5 are adapted to embrace and support opposed edges of a plate glass panel II having etched symbols I8. Spaced angle members 20 extend between and are se- 15 cured to theblocks II as by screws 2| and are arranged to receive the glass panel I'I therebetween.

An electric bulb socket 23 is held against the lower edges of the angle members 20 by a band `20 clamp 24 which is held by bolts 25 carried by the members 20. The socket 23 carries an elec tric bulb 26, preferably, of tubular shape and having a maximum diameter slightly less than that of the Asocket 23. The socket 23 rests against 25 the lower edge' of the glass panel I1 and in the specific embodiment illustrated serves to support the same. The diameter of the bulb 26 is such that it is just out of Contact with the bottom edge vof the glass panel I 'I, the clearance 30 therebetween being only such as to permit the bulb to be removed and replaced without engaging and marking the edge 'of the glass. A

' shield 30 of inverted U-shape is provided at its web with a slot 3| and extends between and is 35 slidablymounted upon the blocks I I so as to engage the base lll and enclose the electric bulb 26 and embrace the opposite faces'of the plate glass panel I'I. If desired, the shield 30 may be provided with a plurality of holes 32 so as to permit 40 circulation of air around the bulb.

The invention provides a construction in which the lament of the electric bulb is positioned ,as close as possible to the edge of the glass thereby decreasing to a minimumthe distance between `l5 the lament and the edge of the glass. While the light filament is positioned'only a small part of an inch closer to the edge of the glass than it has beenheretofore, nevertheless, a very marked increase in the intensity of illumination of the 50 sign is obtained. 'I'he shield 30 provides a closure for the light chamber and can be readily raised without removal to permit access to the light chamber for removal and replacement of the electric bulb. 55

in engagement with an edge of the glass, the

maximum diameter olf said bulb being only slightly less than that of said socket to permit the bulb to be inserted in and removed from said socket without engaging the glass, said socket supporting means comprising a pair of rigid spaced members between which an edge of the glass is positioned, and means for holding said socket against said members.

2. An edge illuminated sign comprising a transparent glass panel having a visible symbol on one face, a tubular shaped electric light bulb, a socket for said bulb, means for supporting the glass panel and said socket to hold said socket in engagement with an edge of Athe glass, the maximum diameter of said bulb being only slightly -less than that of said socket to permit the bulb without engaging the glass, said socket supporting means comprising a pair of rigid spaced members between which an edge of the glass is positioned, and means carried by said members Ifor holding said socket against the edge of the glass.

3. An edge illuminated sign comprising a transparent glass panel having a visible symbol v on one face, a tubular shaped electric light bulb,

a socket for said bulb, a closure for said bulb, means for supporting the glass panel and said socket to hold said socket in engagement with an edge of the glass, the maximum diameter of said bulb being only slightly less than that of said socket to permit the bulb to be inserted in and removed from said socket without engaging the glass, said means for supporting the glass panel comprising a. pair of rigid spaced members between which an edge of the glass is positioned,

and means for holding said socket against the edge of the glass, said closure including a slidably mounted shield normally positioned by said rigid members.

THOMAS J. D. FULLER, Jn. 

